I'm glad I went into this film without knowing anything about it.
It seems Magic Magic has been badly marketed as a horror/thriller and therefore it's easy to see why audiences are disappointed. However, what I found it to be was an atmospheric and gripping observation of the central character's fall into mental illness.
Juno Temple's performance as she loses herself in a sea of exhaustion, isolation and fear is absolutely first class. Having known people suffering from severe personality disorders, I could recognise a lot of the characteristics that slowly revealed themselves. Again, brought to screen perfectly by Temple but also a testament to Sebastian Silva's talent as writer/director.
It does begin to unravel slightly at the end as it seeks to reach a dramatic climax (that wasn't needed, in my opinion). However, despite a jarring change in tone, the final 10 minutes offered a necessary critique on the attitudes towards people suffering with mental illness. Notably, the importance of modern medical research and of family and friend's support, compassion and knowledge of the disease.
A slow-burning exploration into the horror of madness that slightly loses it's way towards the end. 7/10
It seems Magic Magic has been badly marketed as a horror/thriller and therefore it's easy to see why audiences are disappointed. However, what I found it to be was an atmospheric and gripping observation of the central character's fall into mental illness.
Juno Temple's performance as she loses herself in a sea of exhaustion, isolation and fear is absolutely first class. Having known people suffering from severe personality disorders, I could recognise a lot of the characteristics that slowly revealed themselves. Again, brought to screen perfectly by Temple but also a testament to Sebastian Silva's talent as writer/director.
It does begin to unravel slightly at the end as it seeks to reach a dramatic climax (that wasn't needed, in my opinion). However, despite a jarring change in tone, the final 10 minutes offered a necessary critique on the attitudes towards people suffering with mental illness. Notably, the importance of modern medical research and of family and friend's support, compassion and knowledge of the disease.
A slow-burning exploration into the horror of madness that slightly loses it's way towards the end. 7/10